Looking a little like The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’s bisexual heroine Lisbeth Salander, a new heavily inked, pink-haired Collectors Edition Barbie by Tokidoki shocked some moms.
The limited edition $50.00 Collectors Barbie (aimed at adults, primarily) swiftly sold out, but Reuters reports parents showed concern the doll may be inappropriate for children and questioned, “whether the toy company that launched the original Barbie in 1959 should be promoting body art.”
"It's teaching kids to want tattoos before they are old enough to dress like that," Kevin Buckner, of Virginia, told a local television station.
While other moms and dads thought the famous doll was doing what she’s always done best: reflecting current pop culture.
"Have you seen Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Rihanna?" Candace Caswell, a 30-year-old mother from New York asked in an email interview, adding that the pop stars have tattoos and wear wigs and crazy clothes. "They are capturing a snapshot of pop culture the way it really is. Barbie is not raising my daughter. I am.”
Another NY mom, Sue Dennis, said she appreciated the unique Barbie styling.
"I have a 16 month-old son and the Tokidoki Barbie is more the diverse image of women I would like to present to him versus more traditional ones.”
One savvy mother pointed out there are far more harmful messages coming from Barbie than body art. "What is inappropriate for kids are her measurements," said Heather Gately Stoll, of Colorado. "If she can change personalities why can't she change her shape and size?"
